Cynical People More Likely to Die Young, Develop Dementia

European researchers have found that cynical people tend to die younger and are nearly three times more likely to develop dementia. The researchers specifically examined cynicism that involves doubting the truthfulness of what people say and believing that most people are motivated by self-interest rather than the greater good.

The researchers concluded that higher cynical distrust in late life was associated with higher mortality, but they added that this cynicism could be explained by socioeconomic position, lifestyle and health status. The presence of confounding factors supports the link between cynical distrust and dementia.

To learn more, click here.

FDA Approves Drug to Treat MRSA, Other Skin Infections

The FDA has approved an antibacterial drug designed to treat adults with skin infections including Staphyloccous aureus (including MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes.

The intravenous drug, Dalvance, is the first drug designated as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product to receive FDA approval. It received this label under the Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) portion of the FDA Safety and Innovation Act, the agency's program for encouraging increased development and approval of new antibacterial drugs.

Dalvance is marketed by Chicago-based Durata Therapeutics.

To learn more, click here.

Untangling Advanced Wound Care

As the advanced wound care market grows more robust, it can be tough to keep up with product claims and features. To help you out, we created the chart below as a quick reference guide below.

All of the dressings listed below should perform the following functions: remove excess exudates and toxic components; allow gaseous exchange; provide thermal insulation and protect against secondary infection. These dressings are often used with silver or other topical agents that limit infection and speed healing.1

Dressings at a glance 1,2

Alginate

Indications: Moderate to heavily draining wounds, partial- and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers (Stages III and IV), dermal wounds, surgical incisions or dehisced wounds, sinus tracts, tunnels, cavity wounds, infected wounds

Features:

• Hydrophilic gel is produced when alginate comes in contact with wound exudate
• Can absorb up to 20 times its weight
• Does not adhere to wound

Collagen

Indications: Burns, grafts, any type of wound with light, moderate or heavy drainage

Features:

• Provides a moist healing environment
• Some reduce destructive elements in wound fluid
• Promote tissue granulation and epithelialization

Film

Indications: Superficial wounds with little exudate; commonly used as secondary dressings to attach a primary absorbent dressing

Features:

• Permeable to gases and water vapor, but impermeable to wound fluids
• Retain moisture and are impermeable to bacteria and other contaminants 
• Allow wound observation
• Do not require a secondary dressing

Foam

Indications: Partial-to full-thickness wounds with light to heavy exudate; frequently used under compression stockings to help treat venous leg ulcers

Features:

• Have small, open cells that hold fluids
• Permeable to water and gas
• Some have a waterproof top surface

Hydrocolloid

Indications: Stage I-IV pressure ulcers, partial- and full-thickness wounds, dermal ulcers, necrotic wounds

Features:

• Adhesive, absorbent and elastomeric components
• Form a gel upon contact with wound fluid
• Facilitate autolytic debridement
• Self-adhesive, mold well and minimize skin trauma and healing disruption
• Can be used under compression wraps
• Can be used as a preventive dressing for areas at high risk of friction

Hydrofiber

Indications: Moderate to heavily draining wounds, partial- or full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers (Stage III and IV), surgical wounds, donor sites, dehisced wounds, cavity wounds, wounds with sinus tracts or tunnels

Features:

• Maintain a moist wound environment by absorbing large amounts of exudates and forming a gel
• Secondary dressing is required

Hydrogel

Indications: Lightly to moderately draining wounds, necrotic wounds

Features:

• High water content provides moisture to the wound and rehydrate dry wound beds
• Cooling and soothing
• Reduce pain

Your ProMed territory manager is ready to introduce you to ProMed's comprehensive basic and advanced wound care products. To learn more, contact your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

References
1 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Technology assessment on negative pressure wound therapy devices. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/negative-pressure-wound-therapy/background.html. Accessed May 13, 2014.

2 Lippincott’s Nursing Center. Wound & Skin Care: Choosing a wound dressing, part 2. Available at: http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/journalarticle?Article_ID=770292. Accessed May 13, 2014. 

Memorial Day Closure Reminder

Professional Medical will be closed Monday, May 26 in honor of Memorial Day. All Monday deliveries will be made on Tuesday, May 27. All Tuesday deliveries will be made on Wednesday, May 28. Please call our Customer Care department at 800.648.5190 with any questions or concerns.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend and thank all of our veterans for their service.

FDA Recalls Ground Beef Contaminated with E. coli

Before you throw your hamburgers on the grill this Memorial Day weekend, check to make sure they're not part of the 1.8 million pounds of ground beef products that were recalled this week because they might be contaminated with E. coli. 

There are five known retailers that could have potentially received the tainted meat, including three here in the Midwest:

• Gordon Food Service Marketplace stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Florida 
• M Sixty Six General Store in Orleans, Michigan 
• Buchtel Food Mart in Buchtel, Ohio 
• Surf N Turf Market in Sebring, Florida
• Giorgio's Italian Delicatessen in Stuart, Florida 

This list of stores is not final and more could be added as the investigation continues. 

Consumers are advised to return or throw out any meat that has the code EST.2574B and a production date between March 31 and April 18, 2014. The meat is sold under a variety of labels, but comes from Wolverine Packing Company in Detroit. 

To learn more, click here.

Study: Nighttime Systolic Blood Pressure Readings Best Predictor of Heart Attack, Stroke

According to a new study, caregivers should pay closer attention to nighttime hypertension readings to determine a resident's likelihood of experiencing a stroke or adverse cardiovascular event. 

The researchers found that the risk of heart attack or stroke jumped 25 percent for every 10-point increase in systolic blood pressure at night. By comparison, the risk rose 20 percent for daytime increases and 11 percent for clinic readings.

To learn more, click here. 

Fighting Back against Fungal Infections

As warmer temperatures creep in and humidity rises, it can be tough to keep skin dry. Excess skin moisture can contribute to a number of uncomfortable fungal infections, including athlete’s foot, ringworm and jock itch. These infections are usually itchy and can lead to scaling, cracking and rashes. If left untreated, they can lead to abscesses or cellulitis.1

Fungal infections pose a unique challenge for healthcare facilities because they can be spread very easily from person to person. To help curb this, residents should not share towels, combs or other personal items. Special care should also be taken to keep shared areas clean and residents should be encouraged to wash their hands frequently.2

The following strategies can help protect your residents from fungal infections both during the warmer months and throughout the year:

• Apply an antifungal powder or cream to the body after bathing, paying close attention to folds of skin where moisture might collect 
• To avoid contracting athlete’s foot, wash the feet daily, dry them well and put on clean socks
• Take shoes off to expose the feet to air
• Wear waterproof sandals or “shower shoes” in communal bathing areas 
• Keep the groin area clean and dry and change into dry, clean clothes and underwear after sweating
• Avoid tight clothing and fabrics that do not “breathe” 

Professional Medical stocks a number of antifungal products that can help keep your residents comfortable and protected. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of Dermatophytes (Ringworm) Infections. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/dermatophytes/symptoms.html. Accessed May 13, 2014.

2 Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions: Ringworm (body). Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm/basics/definition/con-20021104. Accessed May 13, 2014.